Word
eyesore
Phoneticseye·sore, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈaɪˌsɔɹ/
UK/ˈaɪsɔː/
Countable noun
Definition
n. something very ugly to look at, especially when everything around it looks nice. You use it for old buildings, rubbish piles, or messy signs that spoil a place.
n. something visually unpleasant that spoils the appearance of its surroundings, such as a derelict building, rubbish pile, or neglected structure.
Examples
“That old garage is an eyesore on our street.”
“The neighbours complain that the abandoned factory is an eyesore that lowers the value of nearby homes.”
“What the developer calls progress, preservationists dismiss as an eyesore that disrupts the historic streetscape and erases decades of architectural character.”
Examples
simple
“That old garage is an eyesore on our street.”
contextual
“The neighbours complain that the abandoned factory is an eyesore that lowers the value of nearby homes.”
complex
“What the developer calls progress, preservationists dismiss as an eyesore that disrupts the historic streetscape and erases decades of architectural character.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “eyesore” in context.
Verb
01. complain about eyesore
“Residents often complain about the eyesore next to the station.”
verb + prep + noun
02. demolish eyesore
“They plan to demolish the eyesore and build a small park.”
verb + noun
03. eyesore blights
“The empty mall is an eyesore that blights the town centre.”
noun + verb
04. eyesore spoils
“The car park is an eyesore that spoils the historic square.”
noun + verb
05. regard as eyesore
“Many locals regard the concrete tower as an eyesore.”
verb + prep + noun
06. remove eyesore
“The council promised to remove the eyesore before the festival.”
verb + noun
Adjective
07. real eyesore
“That abandoned factory is a real eyesore for the whole neighbourhood.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. bit of eyesore
“That old caravan in the garden is a bit of an eyesore.”
noun + prep + noun
09. a bit of an eyesore
“The graffiti wall has become a bit of an eyesore for shoppers.”
10. a public eyesore for years
“The burnt-out cinema has been a public eyesore for years.”
11. demolish that old eyesore
“The mayor finally agreed to demolish that old eyesore.”
12. remain an eyesore for years
“The site will remain an eyesore for years without funding.”
Real-World Examples
“The elevated highway was a congested eyesore that physically divided Boston’s urban center.” “A good fan can help keep you cool when it’s sweltering outside, but they’re often an eyesore.” Etymology
From Middle English eye sor, eie-sor, eyen soore, eæge-sare, equivalent to eye + sore.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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